Brinks Commercial Products... Reviewed!

Before I jump in, I just want to give a shout-out to the Brinks team for supplying these products.


We were supplied with 4 products from Brinks commercial line for the sake of testing them out. Two products were selected for security, and two were selected as a solution for issues that required a solution. Did the products help? Let's jump in!



Now that you've seen the products, here are some installation videos.


The Brinks Commercial Keyed Entry Knob... is a sturdy commercial knob that can work for a home setting, but... it feels better suited for a commercial office door or one in a warehouse (for those who prefer a more warm look for their home). As seen, the installation didn't take long.

This keyed entry knob, works well for the office door it was installed on. The knob doesn't wiggle, feels secure, and serves its purpose. The screws are covered for a clean look, and if the knob needs to be replaced, the process to remove the plate is smooth (just have something to pry the plate off). One thing I will say is to keep the pin on the same keyring as the key unless you have a place to tuck it nearby. This was placed on an interior door, but it works for the exterior as well for increased security. This knob is an ANSI Grade 2, meaning that a ram would be required to hit this knob's face at least 5 times for the person gain access. This is straight from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).


So thinking of a person without a ram trying to gain entry, gives even greater peace of mind. On a lighter note, it also keeps us out of Daisy's office while she's in a meeting that doesn't require our presence. A sign could work for that, but... as far as security goes, a solid keyed entry knob works.


Price-wise, the keyed entry knob you see here is generally sold in a set with a deadbolt for $59.96 or so. Not bad for commercial quality, so if you want to grab one of these knobs... and can't buy it ala carte, you're good to go with the deadbolt (which is also saw and pry proof). Did I forget to mention the 10-year warranty? Well, you get one of those too + based on my research... the deadbolt is Grade 1!

Now let's jump into The Brinks Commercial Kick Down Door Stop.



Although it would be better placed at the outer part of the door that swings away from the frame, I have the door stop closer to the crack of the door. The drop-down going into the studio... doesn't allow for it to be placed anywhere else, but it works and doesn't require me to have something to hold the door separately. The Brinks Commercial Kick Down Door Stop is incredibly sturdy and doesn't do that flimsy crap the way some others do where they just drop down if they aren't pushed up into a holder. You can flip it up and it stops halfway and stays up without a cradle.

When it comes to the look, I'd probably say that the bronze or the matte black might be a bit more appealing for the home setting... but the satin chrome looks great as well. This door stop comes in at $22.98 which works for the quality because I've experienced some bad/annoying ones. Ever see the door stops that require assistance just to make them kinda sort of work? This has been going strong and... without it falling down on its own to potentially wear down the grip over time, helps it last.

Now let's jump into the Brinks Commercial Privacy Door Latch.


This privacy door latch is great for commercial and home settings. Don't think that commercial quality products are reserved for commercial properties only. You might see this near the door of your suite at a nice resort, but... you can also place it in your home as well. The quality of this product is undeniable, it's thick + sturdy and... the screws that come with it run deep so that it can't simply get kicked in.

I wanted to present this particular product because you never know who may be at the door and the traditional chain isn't as efficient. This latch only requires one move, you push and it lifts out to block the door from being opened further. This is great for general safety, almost like an extra layer of defense when you're turning in for the evening, but... it can also be an emergency latch in a situation when you don't have time to run into the home and lock the door because someone is behind you. Let's hope this never happens, but on the flip side... this is also a great latch to prevent small children from leaving the home and wandering around. That can increase a parent's peace of mind.

I was actually in one of the old office spaces when I saw a little boy around 3 years old standing near the busy roadway. He was playing with a ball and no adults were in sight. I dashed out and ran over to get him away from the road and asked him where his mom was, and if could he show me. He wasn't aware of my concern, but that could've ended badly. He took me across to a home on the other side of a little field where his mom and the babysitter were. Let's just say the mom wasn't happy that the babysitter was wrapped up in her phone while her toddler found his way outside to play. It was really weird, and I wasn't happy either, but... luckily it ended on a good note. I bring that up, because... that situation wouldn't have been a thing with this privacy door latch installed on the home out of his reach.

This ADA-compliant privacy door latch comes in at $25.98. Oh... and before I forget, this doesn't prevent the door from closing. There are products that will block the door and stop it from closing when they're in use, but... the start wearing on the door. If this is out while the door is wide open and being closed, the door will merely push it down and close it. On that note, it's for doors that swing in only, that's where the resistance comes in. By the way, you also get a 10-year warranty with this one too.


Last but not least, let's jump into the Brinks Commercial Door Silencer.


This product is fairly simple, you place them in little holes in the door frame and they reduce the noise and absorb the shock of a door being slammed. There are people who literally don't realize their own strength when it comes to closing a door, but it can urk you to hear a door slammed hard. Luckily this softens the blow, especially if you have something like a frosted, etched, or stained glass section on your door. A hard enough slam would surely shatter such a glass whether it be tempered or not. According to Home Guide, you're looking at $150 to $500 on average to get a glass replaced. When it's the glass in a front door, we're talking $150 to $600... so $5.98 for a pack of 12-door silencers is a great investment.




Easy Installation 5

Durability 5

Warranty 5

Price 5


5 out of 5 Cool Points




PAYDAY Gold Edition


payday 3



游戏开始!

Dear Developers: 9 Ways To Get Into The Game Industry



Getting into the game industry as a beginner can be challenging, but there are several ways to increase your chances of success. Here are nine of the best ways to get started in the game industry:

1. Get involved in game development communities: Joining game development communities such as forums and Discord communities can help you connect with other developers and learn from their experiences. 

No one said you had to work for an established company, some Indie devs came into the industry... via their first title.


2. Create a portfolio: Building a portfolio of your own game projects is essential to showcase your skills to potential employers. 

This can come by way of your contributions to a project... if it's not a game you developed on your own. Even if you haven't worked on a game yet, you can still showcase your skills via your art, sound effects, voice acting + more!


3. Attend game development events: Attending game development events such as game jams, hackathons, and conferences can help you network with other developers and learn new skills. 

If you attend such events, be prepared so you have business cards, notepads, or anything else for networking and gathering new information. If you walk out with nothing more than memories of the event, you just may have wasted your time.


4. Learn the necessary skills: Building games requires a variety of skills such as programming, art, and design. Learning these skills through online courses, tutorials, and books can help you build a strong foundation. 

No college required.


5. Participate in game development contests: Participating in game development contests such as game jams and hackathons can help you build your skills and gain exposure. 

This is similar to number 3, but... gather any information that will benefit you in the journey. Going and forgetting vital information would... suck... royally.


6. Apply for internships: Interning at a game development studio can provide you with valuable experience and contacts in the industry. 

This one could be tricky to even obtain but always remember... Google search is your friend!


7. Build relationships with industry professionals: Building relationships with industry professionals such as game developers, publishers, and journalists can help you learn about the industry and potentially lead to job opportunities. 

At times, it's who you know but... it might be easier to meet them in a non-business setting. Building a relationship on the outside could help you get access just as quick or even quicker than being on the inside because if they're around you and know that you're skilled... they'd be more enthusiastic to want to help a friend. Professionally doesn't hurt either, especially if that person lives by the rule of not working or living with friends to avoid ruining their friendship, but... they could give you an alley-oop into another studio.


8. Seek out mentorship: Finding a mentor in the game industry can provide you with guidance and advice on how to succeed in the industry. 

The earlier you find a mentor for yourself or your child (15 to 24) the better. The older a person gets, the less people want to help them. Don't miss this boat, there are mentorship programs out there, do a Google search for local mentorship programs in the game industry. Also, check with your local government to see if they have any programs funded by the city that help youth with such a thing.


9. Be persistent: Getting into the game industry can take time and persistence. Keep practicing, building your skills, and pursuing opportunities until you achieve your goals. 

Always keep in mind, to protect your ideas. Just like you're looking for opportunities, there are people also looking for new concepts to make money from, and... if your idea isn't protected consider it snagged. It's uncool, but some consider it... business (and don't be surprised if some of those people are a part of bigger studios).

Lastly, while in pursuit of your career, never stop chipping away at an indie project. Just because you don't have a job yet, doesn't mean you can't create one for yourself if your own project hits the mark. You can start this as early as today because game dev projects don't have an age requirement, but I do encourage parents to ensure things are... kosher if your child has a team developing a game with the desire of releasing it on the market.



Sophima | Guest Contributor
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